Malware

Bastion Academy #2

by J.D. Astra

There are no shortcuts on the path to enlightenment, but some will try.

The summer was prosperous for Jiyong, giving him the funds he needed to attend another year at Bastion Academy. The new first-year students are just as bright-eyed and rowdy as he remembers being, but there's something more sinister to blame for their aggressive behavior: designer drugs.

The ability for any student to temporarily unlock the full potential of their magic with a single potion threatens to upend the school's ranking system. And something dark lurks in the shadows of these performance enhancers: a signal sending personal data to a location within the kingdom. Worse, Jiyong's mother's illness is responding to that signal.

When the drug problem at the school turns deadly, Jiyong will have to hunt down the source to discover the cure before his friends and half the school's cores are eaten from the inside out. Can he uncover the truth in time to save not only the school, but his mother, too

Genres: Fantasy

Kindle Edition

First published March 2, 2021

About the author

J.D. Astra is also known as J.D. Harpley.

Reviews

[Akshay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Malware (Bastion Academy #2) by J.D. Astra

A frustratingly hollow continuation where plot stupidity masquerades as high stakes drama.

Core Premise:
Designer drugs infiltrate Bastion Academy, threatening students' cores while mysteriously connecting to Jiyong's mother's illness. What should be a compelling mystery devolves into contrived coincidences and protagonist incompetence masquerading as noble heroism.


Structural Failures:
The academy setting becomes increasingly irrelevant—Jiyong barely attends classes yet magically maintains top-twenty ranking. The cultivation progression that defined Book 1 is abandoned for crisis management and amateur detective work.



Jiyong transforms from a resourceful underdog into a reckless liability who repeatedly endangers himself and others through impulsive decisions justified by misplaced altruism and naive trust.

Plot: Jiyong returns for his second year at Bastion Academy, where new students exhibit unnaturally aggressive behavior due to performance-enhancing drugs. These substances temporarily unlock magical potential but carry a sinister payload—a mysterious signal that somehow connects to his mother's deteriorating condition. As the drug crisis escalates and becomes lethal, Jiyong must identify the source while racing to save both the academy and his family.

Protagonist Stupidity Analysis: Jiyong's decision-making consistently defies logic and self-preservation. He repeatedly trusts suspicious individuals without evidence, charges into dangerous situations without preparation, and prioritizes strangers over his stated family obligations. His "heroic" impulses serve primarily to create artificial drama rather than demonstrate genuine character growth or tactical thinking.

Misplaced priorities: Despite claiming family motivation, Jiyong wastes time on academy politics and random acts of altruism instead of focusing on his mother's cure.


Tactical incompetence: Repeatedly enters dangerous situations without backup, planning, or consideration of consequences.


Gullible trust: Accepts help and information from obviously suspicious sources based on emotional manipulation rather than evidence.


Academic negligence: Maintains high rankings despite minimal class attendance or demonstrated skill development.

Assessment: The book suffers from fundamental structural problems that undermine its premise. The academy framework becomes window dressing while the protagonist stumbles through a conspiracy plot driven more by coincidence than investigation. Character agency is consistently sacrificed for manufactured drama, resulting in a narrative that feels both predictable and frustrating.

Malware represents the common sophomore slump where initial promise gives way to lazy plotting and character regression. The science-fantasy elements that distinguished the first book are overshadowed by conspiracy thriller mechanics that the author lacks the skill to execute competently.

Rating: ⭐✩✩✩✩ out of 5 glowing stars

[XR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Jiyong... you gullible thing, you. If only you'd listen to your smart and beautiful girlfriend, Hana... that little shit Ko-nah wouldn't have manipulated you so easily. Then again... we wouldn't have this enticing story in the second book of the Bastion Academy series.

[William Howe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just can’t

There are so many plots running around...on top of intensely Asian cultural references. It’s like a foreign soap opera, without the romance. I don’t really understand the choices being made. Too many ‘secrets’.

Not for me.

DNF

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow just wow! This must be the best cultivation book I have read by far, it is a thrilling read from start to finish. Jiyong made enough money over the summer holidays to be able to attend for his 2nd year at Bastion Academy. He is looking forward to returning, meeting up with all his friends especially with his girlfriend Hana, but dreads leaving his family behind in the outer city. He tried to convince his mother to join him in the Kingdom, however she was adamant she would not leave her home. Once the year starts Jiyong realises that things are not proceeding as normal, the first year students are using designer drugs, which acted as performance enhancers and threatened to unbalance the school's ranking system. The drug problem turns deadly as Jiyong tries to hunt down the source to discover the cure before his friends get their cores eaten from the inside out. Can he uncover the truth in time to save both Bastion and his mother whose illness was also responding to the signal. Jiyong also tries to help out a student who was being bullied, taking it upon himself to help him get stronger both physically and in energy use, however Ko-nah betrays Jiyong and his friends time and time again. I hated that Jiyong, in the kindness of his heart, got taken in by this cunning and ambitious student, who showed no respect or gratitude towards any of his friends. Who was using malware, who had found another piece of the machina and who was experimenting on Jiyong's mother? These were all questions which needed answers before it became too late for the whole Kingdom. I love the heroic characters in this series, and the way they risk their lives in order to save the school. They are true Bastion heroes and I am so looking forward to reading book 3 which from this book's ending seems to be going to be an even more thrilling read than this one!

[Jon Svenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 was a mix of things happening at the academy while Giyoung works on getting money for his sick mother.

Book 2 takes that premise a lot further. Now there's an unknown signal from the old world being sent that only Mae (his partial AI) can decipher. The academy is being infiltrated by persons unknown, and only Jiyoung can figure it out.

As the main character, Jiyoung is a bit naive but isn't stupid. He takes risks most people wouldn't, and he tends to overthink a lot. Still, he's motivated enough to make for a solid MC, and with Hana, Yuri, Cho and the rest as a supporting cast, it's not bad.

Having said that, we barely see Jiyoung take any classes. We see him have one fight for rankings (which are now limited to once a week), and that's it. Yet he still finishes in the top twenty.

We had similar gaps in book 1, but the gaps are even wider in book 2 (mind the gap). I like that Jiyoung is out and about trying to figure these things out, but I'd also like to see him fight for his ranking instead of being told that he's made it.

Where's the challenge in that?

Honestly, I can't complain too much. The editing is well done, and while the cultivation loses out along with the ranking fights, it's still a good story. I just wonder if maybe the academy shouldn't have been used as the premise, because it's getting short shrift.

Good for what it is, but I had hoped for something a little better. 4/5*

[Clint Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alert

“This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”

I am not going to share my reasoning, thoughts on the book, or any opinions that would influence your decision to read it. I am simply saying that I liked it. I would like you to read it and make your own decision. After all, you are a much better judge of what you will like than anyone here.

I will happily discuss the book with you on Goodreads if you are so inclined. As always, I am open to debates and arguments, but also vain enough to seek acknowledgement, so feel free to roast me or applaud my efforts. Either is acceptable, because if you are paying attention to me then you are at least considering the book. And THAT my friends is exactly why you see my comments here.

Cheers

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book 2

I think this book is a great view into the nature of how obligation and devotion drive people. Yes, it is a story about cultivation and a post apocalyptic world where cultivation is done involving nanites and most people just consider it magic… but the technology & cultivation & South Korean fantasy elements combine wonderfully.

It’s a fun book, an action packed book, and an emotional one - a son’s duty, a son’s love, and the obligations that tie the two. It’s a good exploration of that. An enjoyable one.

[Davidl Campbell'Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Entertaining!!

The author does a very good job of making his story very interesting even when fighting is not happening? Trust me you'll enjoy every moment you read in this story!!!

[Divya Kaveria · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty good

Love the mix of wuxia / future dystopia. Story feels real with challenges, obstacles etc. I wish the author would develop the other characters a bit more but still a great read.

[Johnie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining read

I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it highly to anyone that like cultivating type of books with lots of action.

[Richin109 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it

Great book. I cannot wait for the next book. Well written book and and extremely interesting world. I would recommend the book to anyone.

[Lissette · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Jiyong, life at Bastion Academy hasn't been easy. He's had to contend with furious classmates and other adversities, never once backing down from what he believes in. This is a boy who will do anything for his family and those he cares about the most.

Family, protection, and survival are constant themes within this series. The author molds all of them in such a way that you can clearly see everything the characters do in order to make their lives palpable with each passing day. Full of numerous Asian culture references, the book opens up the reader's mind to things they never thought possible.

I often wonder if Jiyong and the others will find an end to their own means. After all, there's more than meets the eye within the world the author has created for them. I look forward to seeing where book three takes everyone when the time comes.